Support Stephen’s Filum Disease Surgery in Spain

Dude to many requesting to donate via Venmo, we are also making his Venmo available if you wish to use that instead.

Venmo info:

@essemology

Stephen Martinez

Last four of his phone number for confirmation: 1499

We are raising money for my brother, best friend, best uncle, and friend to many, to help him get the surgery he needs for a congenital brain defect he was born with. This malformation has affected his daily life in a horrible way, and he has suffered with it for many years. We believe we may have found the best option and solution available to him right now. However, due to the high expense of the surgery, we are reaching out to friends, family, and our community to help make this possible for him.**

A little bit about Stephen and his character:

To know Stephen is to love him. He is the kindest, most generous soul you will ever meet. He is an empath through and through. He is the guy who goes broke helping others. His generosity is unlike anything I’ve ever seen—whether it’s helping complete strangers, offering an encouraging word, or always being there with a shoulder to cry on. He is the one who talks his friends off a ledge and is always ready to listen.

The most amazing thing is that, despite all he is facing, he has taken it upon himself to be the primary caregiver for our mother, who is battling stage 4 cancer. He has taken wonderful care of her with so much love and attention. He desperately needs this surgery. It’s gotten to the point where he is barely able to drive or even ride in a vehicle. He would never, in a million years, ask for help, but his situation is dire.

Stephen is a private person, and not many people are aware of what he has been going through.He would much prefer to work two jobs than have us ask for help, but with him caring for our mother and battling his declining health, we know it’s not the smartest option. He would need to fund the surgery in Spain, as well as cover travel and accommodation costs while there and this is what these funds would be going toward. Mostly the surgery as it costs anywhere from 20-25k. The rest would be for imaging bills that are piling up, travel and accommodation costs while he spends time there. He will have to stay around Barcelona for at least three weeks for follow ups etc.

First and foremost, we would appreciate your prayers. The cost of the surgery in Spain is substantial, and any financial assistance would be greatly appreciated. Your support will help Stephen on his path to better health and allow him to continue caring for our mother.

On Stephen’s Medical Condition:

Five years ago, Stephen began experiencing some concerning symptoms—brain fog, muscle weakness, numbness in his limbs, and persistent migraines. For four years, these symptoms were misdiagnosed, leaving us without clear answers. It wasn’t until an MRI revealed that Stephen has Chiari Malformation Type 1 that we finally understood what was happening. This condition causes the lower part of his brain, the cerebellar tonsils, to be pushed down into the spinal canal due to limited space in his skull.

Over time, Stephen’s symptoms have worsened, impacting his daily life in significant ways. His current symptoms include:

• Brain fog

• Muscle weakness and pain

• Numbness and tingling of limbs

• Heart palpitations

• Neck and back pain

• Migraines

• Vertigo

• Breathing Issues (Stephen’s Least Favorite)

• Muscle spasms

• Visual Disturbances

• Extreme Lethargy

Additionally, Stephen has recently been diagnosed with related congenital deformities in his spine, which have further complicated his condition.

The primary surgical option available in the U.S. is decompression surgery, which involves cutting into the skull and removing part of the bone and brain (cerebellar tonsils). While this surgery offers some hope, it is invasive, comes with a lengthy recovery, and does not guarantee symptom relief. This and Stephen would prefer to not have his brain cut into if not absolutely necessary.

After careful research and discussions with others who have faced similar challenges, Stephen discovered an alternative surgery available in Barcelona, Spain. The clinic there identifies the Chiari Malformation issue as something called Filum Disease. Filum disease is a condition that affects the nervous system, spine, skull and brain and is caused by abnormal traction on the filum terminale ligament that runs along the spine.

After consultation Stephen is a candidate for the surgery the surgery available in Spain, which focuses on the filum terminale in the spine and does not involve operating on the brain. This clinic has dedicated decades of research into Chiari and are confident that the filum in the spine is the root cause of many of the other issues including Chiari. The success rates for symptom relief are significantly higher, and after much prayer Stephen believes this is the best option for him.

Form the bottom of our hearts thank you for taking the time to read Stephen’s story. We are grateful for your kindness and generosity.